Fifth day. Attended our preparative meeting, and it being the one preceding our quarterly meeting, the queries were to be answered. As one of the overseers was likely to be necessarily absent from the preparative meeting, they met a day or two previous thereto, and prepared essays of answers; and the one who attended, produced them to the meeting at the time of entering upon reading and answering the queries. As I had long believed, from observation and experience, that this method was inconsistent with the nature of our profession, and right order of our discipline, as well as in its tendency very hurtful and weakening to the meeting, my mind was very much exercised on the occasion; and the more so, in finding several Friends willing to adopt the practice: but, after the matter had been pretty fully spoken to, under a weight of concern, Friends agreed to lay the essays aside, and not notice them; which was a considerable relief to my mind. Sixth and seventh days. Passed without any thing particular to notice. First day, the 16th. My mind was brought under a renewed exercise in our meeting, from a view and consideration of the very small improvement and progress made by a great portion of our society in religious experience, when compared with the opportunities they were so abundantly favoured with from time to time. It led to a communication on the subject, which was introduced by a revival of Paul’s reprehension of the Hebrews: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God: and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” The subject spread, and brought a solemn weight over the meeting, and Friends were pressingly excited to greater diligence in the right improvement of their precious time; that so when the day of solemn inquisition comes, they may be prepared to give in their account with joy, and receive the desired and peaceful answer of: “well done thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Our monthly meeting was held on fifth day; and, I think, the business was well and harmoniously conducted. The rest of the week I was busily employed in my usual vocations; and divers things occurred, which induced gratitude and thankfulness of heart to the blessed Author of all our mercies. First day, the 23d. A silent meeting to-day. What a precious thing it is, to be taught to know when to speak, and when to be silent.